Sentient means having the ability to perceive or feel things, typically through one's senses. It can also refer to a being that is capable of experiencing subjectivity and self-awareness, such as humans or animals.
By opting to eat plant foods you're minimizing your impact on the planet, eliminating the suffering of sentient beings for your benefit and caring for your body. (mindbodygreen.com)
If «God» exists in any form or under any name which I'm not denying wouldn't he want us to improve ourselves as his creations and grow as sentient beings as any parent / creator would? (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
Thanos is eager to win the affections of Mistress Death by doing her bidding: Erasing half of sentient life in the universe. (inverse.com)